When it comes to domestic violence and other personal conduct matters, however, each incident is unique with numerous external circumstances. It’s impossible and unjust, therefore, to arbitrarily suspend players for X-number of games to blanket all cases. Each instance deserves its own investigation and its own conclusion.

It’s time for the public to be a part of that process.

Goodell adjudicates all punishment. As NFL commissioner, that’s part of his job description. It’s up to him to decide what the transgression merits.

But Goodell isn’t infallible. He’s capable of making mistakes, too. And having more transparency is an apt way of keeping everything in check.

Granted, there are privacy issues at play here as well. Simply because the NFL is the most visible league in American sports doesn’t mean the public is entitled to certain medical, financial or legal information.

Provided that personal privacy isn’t violated, the league would benefit from more transparency in the conversation about discipline. It would get the chance to own up to the decision, rather than to release it in a seemingly arbitrary fashion.